We recently connected with Kayla Gale Campbell and have shared our conversation below.

Kayla, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I started making art after a long time away from it after my daughter was born about eleven years ago. I started painting in the late hours of the day while she slept as a way to find myself again after early motherhood. I believe my soul was craving that outlet and I felt such a strong pull at that time, but I kept everything to myself because I wasn’t able to see any value in what I could do.
After a few years of daily art making, and the birth of my son, I came across an interview of a young contemporary artist and mother that I admire. In the interview, she unapologetically suggested her art as something to bring beauty and peace to others, and boldly stated that there was room for emerging artists to put their work out there to do the same. I saw myself in her in that moment, and for some reason in that moment I couldn’t think of a single reason not to pursue a career at that time – no excuse was good enough. I had all the kindling, I just needed the spark, and hearing someone else say it was ok lit that fire.
So, with a toddler dancing at my feet and a newborn in a sling on my chest, I launched my website and started taking myself seriously as a professional. It was the most beautiful, chaotic time of my life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Kayla and I’m a contemporary abstract artist living and working in a small town community in the wild prairies of Canada. I homeschool my two children while I work daily in the studio next to my home. I was widowed at a young age, and a lot of my life choices have been unique. A lot my work is therefore shaped around emotion and restraint, the body and the earth, aging and reclamation, and the ways we communicate with and understand layers of our deepest selves.

I’ve been painting for over a decade, but my relationship with art began long before that. When I began working with oil and heavy texture, something really clicked for me. It became a language that allowed me to express both calm and complexity, and it’s one I’ve been refining ever since.

Over the years, I’ve developed a body of work that resonates deeply with modern homeowners and designers who value subtlety, minimalism, and natural elements. My paintings are often chosen to bring depth to contemporary spaces. They help to find balance between our modern lives with something organic and soulful. Many of my collectors tell me they’re drawn to the sense of peace and grounding my work brings into their homes.

I believe that what sets my work apart is the focus on quiet. I don’t feel pulled to trends or loud colour; I’m more interested in creating pieces that people live with and continue to discover over time. Each painting is built up in layers, with textures that catch and shift light differently throughout the day, so there’s a living quality to them.

If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know about my work, it’s that, like most abstract work, it really isn’t just about how it looks. I create pieces that encourage the viewer to complete in their own home, through experiencing them shift and unfold. They are a cycle in that way. It’s about slowing down, breathing, and letting texture, light, and stillness do their quiet work.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

A big part of my journey was born from loss. My late husband was only 36 when he passed. Working through grief and trauma became a bit of a central heartbeat for my work. It really required me to slow down and think deeply and honestly about what I wanted from my existence and being. I recognized that what I wanted was not just to paint, but to live the artist’s life. Being content with what we are given, experiencing and embracing vulnerability, chasing an everlasting flow state, and finding true beauty are some of my foundational values now as a human being.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think one of the most powerful things society can do to support artists is to truly value what we create. We live in such a fast paced, matrix style world right now. Anyone can make anything. But artists don’t just create, they observe, they meditate, they connect. Art isn’t a luxury; it’s a reflection of how we see, feel, and make sense of the world. Recognizing that value is a huge step forward for society.

We need more recognition that art careers take time and sustainability. Grants, residencies, and fair representation matter, but so does cultivating a culture that respects creative work as real work. Many artists are self-represented or independent, balancing creation with every other aspect of running a business. Having access to mentorship, affordable studio space, and fair exposure opportunities can make an enormous difference.

At its core, supporting artists could be about nurturing curiosity and slowing down enough to see. When we make space for beauty, for conversation, and for creative risk we build a richer, more empathetic culture. The natural next step is what you might be expecting me to say. BUY ART FROM LIVING ARTISTS.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kaylagale.com
• Instagram: @kaylagalecampbell.studio
• Other: talk to me personally! [email protected]